EU Regional Policy at work, an example in , Ireland

EN Travelling light and speedily across the Fair City

Ten years in the planning, Dublin’s transit system has been a huge success since opening for business in June EU funding 2004. It achieved operational breakeven in its first full year of service and carried more than 27 million passengers in €82.5 million was allocated to the Light Rail 2008. Transit system in Dublin – Line A project from Commuters and visitors to Ireland’s capital city today enjoy fast the ERDF for the 2000 to 2006 period. and comfortable rides aboard modern vehicles on the two lines that together total 25 km in length. Major extensions to the system are now underway. the service is now profitable. The two lines have proved very popular with Dubliners and passenger numbers grew by 23% in the first three Two new lines years of operation, at one point reaching 28.4 million. The system’s success is reflected in plans for further investment in Dublin’s first tram system began service in the 1870s and was once light-rail infrastructure in Dublin. Under , the Irish considered among the world’s best. However increasing competition Government’s 10-year plan for investment in transport infrastructure, from more flexible and lack of investment eventually led to the RPA is developing seven new Luas lines and two metro lines. the end of the service in July 1949. In the late 20th century, as light-rail transport became more popular because of its speed and efficiency, Dublin decided the time was right for a new network. After years of planning and construction, the city opened two surface light-rail lines in 2004. Operated under contract with the Railway Procurement Agency (RPA) by Ireland, the city’s light rail system is called ‘Luas’, meaning ‘speed’ in Gaelic.

Not only has Luas delivered in terms of a very meaningful contribution to public transport capacity, but in itself it is a very significant addition to the public perception of the city. John Fitzgerald, former Dublin City Manager, now Chairman of Regeneration and of Regeneration projects

The ‘Red’ line runs from in the south-western suburbs © [2008] Railway Procurement Agency. All Rights Reserved to the mainline railway station at Connolly, north of the . One third of its construction was co-financed with an Under this new investment programme, the is being ERDF contribution under the Economic and Social Infrastructure extended at both ends, adding a total 5.5 km of additional route. Operational Programme. The ‘Green’ line follows a route from the on this line have also been lengthened to accommodate business/industrial estate at in the southern suburbs to passenger demand. St. Stephen’s Green in the city centre. More about this project can be found at: www.rpa.ie Platform for infrastructure extension It was anticipated that Luas would require an operational subsidy in the early years, in common with many new major transport projects in Europe. Yet thanks to high passenger numbers, a modest operational subsidy was only needed for the first few months of operation and

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